Two goals in the final 15 minutes helped the Northwest College men’s soccer team avenge last year’s championship game loss, defeating Otero College 2-0 and advancing to the Region IX Championship Game once again this Saturday.

NORTHWEST 2, OTERO 0

Hosting the semifinal on Saturday the Trappers (9-2-2) welcomed in the Rattlers (5-6-6) after a week off.

Northwest had some early signs of rust, as the Trappers were under pressure from some early breaks from the visitors.

“First 15-20 I thought we were very slow,” coach Rob Hill said. “We were just slow on the ball. When we built out of the back, we were just getting caught. Our center backs were getting caught and then when they did finally decide to play it was rushed and panicked.”

The Trappers had some small chances over the first 20 minutes, but their best chance came when Taylor Bridger’s free kick hit off the post 20 minutes in.

“After 20 minutes I thought we settled in. We started to possess the ball more,” Hill said. “We had a couple chances where we hit the post.”

A hard foul by Otero led to a scuffle between the two teams just 30 seconds later, but both teams only received yellow cards as both remained with 11 players.

Northwest had a strong chance late in the half, but an offside call prevented anything further from happening.

Neither team scored and it remained 0-0 at halftime.

Otero had a strong chance nine minutes into the second half, but an offside against the visitors ended that chance.

From that point forward the Trappers created a number of chances, as Tristan Hargreaves had a chance deflect off his leg and go just wide 16:30 minutes into the second half.

William Denaire had a chance on a header from a long throw 21 minutes in, and another shortly after.

Northwest finally got on the board when Hayden Vally dribbled through the Rattler defense, and was brought down in the box for a penalty.

“The counter with Hayden coming inside, it’s always going to be a threat,” Hill said.

Denaire converted the chance and Northwest went up 1-0 with 15 minutes left.

Five minutes later the Trappers got the second, as Bridger’s cross was turned in by Josh Rabord just over the visitor keeper to give Northwest breathing room at 2-0, which it held onto for the win. 

“I thought defensively we were very good,” Hill said. “In the last four games we’ve conceded one and scored 14 … Defensively we’ve improved massively … I thought we were worthy of the victory, I thought we were very good. I thought we were very professional and got the job done.”

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

The victory ensured the Trappers another chance at a Region IX title after falling short last year, but this time they will be at home at 1 p.m. on Saturday as the No. 1 seed, taking on the No. 3 seeded Western Nebraska Community College Cougars (9-4-4).

“It’s a nice reward of having a home game, back-to-back home games with the final,” Hill said. “We’ve got a lot of young faces on here, but we’re relaxed … We just want to play a game of soccer, and we want to dominate and we want to play the best that we can. We’re not building up the occasion really, it’s just another game for us, and I think it’s great for the fans to see.”

He said throughout this process the Trappers have had a number of players helping whether it be in practice or the game, and their attitude has helped the Trappers reach this point.

“The real reason we’re winning and being so successful is because the guys that are not playing have humbled themselves. They’ve said we’re going to be part of this team whether we play or not and we’re going to help prepare for wins,” Hill said. “Those guys have been unbelievable teammates to help them prepare. Everyone’s in it together. On the sideline they’re all cheering, nobody has bad body language, nobody is frowning, nobody is sulking. The guys that are not playing have been the real heroes of this team with the work they’ve put in.”

Western Nebraska upset No. 2 Casper College on the road after a 1-1 draw ended in a 4-3 shootout victory for the Cougars.

Northwest defeated Western Nebraska on the road 3-2 to open the season, and drew 0-0 at home in early October.

“They’re a very tough team. I think they deserve to be in the final, and I think it’s the way the final should be, the top two teams in the region,” Hill said. “It should be a very good game on Saturday.”

The winner of the contest advances to the national tournament on Nov. 15-21 in Wichita, Kansas.